Treatment of Pediatric Cerebral Palsy

Pediatric cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of movement and posture caused by brain injury or abnormal brain development. Although CP cannot be completely cured at present, scientific treatment methods can significantly improve motor function and enhance quality of life. The treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy is usually comprehensive and mainly includes the following:

Emerging Treatments

Neural reconstruction centered on stem cell therapy

Neural reconstruction centered on stem cell therapy is currently the most promising treatment for pediatric cerebral palsy after conventional therapies. Stem cell therapy works through neural repair and enhanced brain plasticity, providing potential breakthroughs in improving motor, cognitive, and neurological functions.

Advantages of stem cell therapy-centered neural reconstruction:

- Neural regeneration and synaptic remodeling: Stem cells can differentiate into neurons or glial cells, filling damaged areas. They secrete neurotrophic factors such as BDNF and GDNF, promoting endogenous neural stem cell proliferation and synaptic connections.

- Anti-inflammatory and immune regulation: Mesenchymal stem cells can suppress excessive microglial activation, reduce pro-inflammatory factors (such as IL-6, TNF-α), and relieve chronic neuroinflammation.

- Angiogenesis and improved blood flow: By secreting VEGF and ANG-1, they promote angiogenesis in damaged areas and improve oxygen supply to brain tissue.

- White matter repair: They differentiate into oligodendrocytes or support their survival, promoting remyelination.

- Enhanced brain plasticity, improved motor and cognitive function: Children’s brains have high plasticity. Stem cell therapy can accelerate functional compensation, improving motor, cognitive, and language functions.

Conventional Treatments

1. Physical rehabilitation training

Through gait training, balance training, and muscle strengthening, rehabilitation helps children establish correct movement patterns, prevent joint contractures and skeletal deformities, and improve independent walking ability.

2. Occupational and functional training

Training focuses on fine motor skills and daily activities such as dressing and eating, enhancing self-care ability, parent-child interaction, and social confidence.

3. Drug therapy

Botulinum toxin can be applied to areas of high muscle tone to relieve spasticity. Oral or injectable muscle relaxants such as baclofen help relax muscles and improve movement smoothness.

4. Surgical interventions

For severe muscle contractures or skeletal deformities, procedures such as tendon release or tendon lengthening can reduce tension, improving posture and range of motion.

5. Speech and swallowing training

Many children with CP have speech and swallowing difficulties. Speech therapy provides pronunciation and swallowing exercises to enhance communication and feeding safety.

6. Psychological and behavioral interventions

Children with CP and their families often face psychological stress. Behavioral training, emotional counseling, and family education support help children adapt to their environment and promote overall development.

7. Orthotic assistance for the feet

Customized insoles or braces help stabilize the ankles, correct gait, reduce the risk of falls, and improve walking quality in combination with training.

Conclusion

Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy requires early intervention and individualized planning. By integrating stem cell therapy, rehabilitation training, and surgical methods, children can achieve maximum functional recovery and independence. Parents’ active cooperation and multidisciplinary teamwork are key to supporting children’s healthy growth.